Johnny F Keel Jr on LinkedIn: It’s so tough to lose your mother days after her birthday and a day before… | 28 comments (2024)

I came across this article - https://lnkd.in/g5GDrp7Dwhich inspired me to write this one about what Memorial Day means to me https://lnkd.in/gda5tsBP

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The power of great leadership.

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Hello everyone,Memorial Day weekend starts today; an auspicious holiday dedicated to the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect and uphold the ideals of the American nation.Memorial Day recognizes one of the bravest and most noble forms of selflessness one can make: the Heroic Sacrifice. Putting one's own body, mind and soul on the line in order to ensure someone else doesn't have to undergo the same pain. The ultimate show of empathy, and unfortunately the most tragic.In fiction, three kinds of Heroic Sacrifices can be seen along a Hero's Journey:One can be at the beginning of the story, which will set the tone for the tale. For example, in Don Bluth's The Land Before Time, the mother of the protagonist sacrifices herself to save her son, but in doing so, strands him in a wasteland with no mentor, forcing him to undertake his journey alone.The second can be in the middle of the story, where the heroic sacrifice can often serve as a 'point of no return;' where the heroes either lose hope due to the loss of one of their own, or the sacrificed character (usually the protagonist in these instances) undergoes an epiphany that speeds them along their developmental path to becoming who they were meant to be. For example, Disney's Hercules, where the love interest Megara sacrifices herself to save the de-powered Hercules, giving him back his strength in the process and giving him the motivation to stop Hades from enslaving the Gods.And the third final sacrifice can take place at the very end of a story. Often in tales, where the hero dies, they will do so through self-sacrifice. Such as in Terminator 2: Judgement Day, where the titular Terminator melts himself down so his technology can't be used to cause the apocalypse.I myself used the third type of heroic sacrifice in my book 'Of Scales and Fur - Rocket,' where Rocket and her former enemy turned partner Myst sacrifice themselves to save their loved ones from a final attack by the anarchist Luco.Regardless of the type of sacrifice, though, each one requires a huge amount of empathy for others, and courage to face Death itself. Through sacrifice, villains can become redeemed, former losers can be seen as amazing and powerful, and idealists can prove a point about how friendship, love and trust can be powerful tools that can and will lead to victory over darkness.So, this weekend, let us remember and honor those who sacrificed themselves to protect our country from terrorists and tyrants. Let us remember the heroes that made the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of their loved ones, and indeed all of us. And let us remember that in being willing to lay down our lives for each other, we can overcome so much more than we could take on alone.Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone. And thank you for reading.

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Use this sentiment to reset your mindset today and make the most of it

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Read more about his life here

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Lesson #3 from my Jamaican VacationWe took our 15-year-old son on this trip with us. I love watching young people experience the world outside of their bubble and grow through new experiences. One new thing we experienced on this trip was a silent disco. Have you ever heard of or participated in a silent disco? 🪩 Every participant wears headphones 🎧 that play music and they light up red for one channel or blue for another. Everyone wears their headphones and dances to the music they're listening to; which might be different than the person next to you. It is fun and clever and chaotic and exhausting. But, you also have to put yourself wholeheartedly into the moment. 💃 There's no meekly dancing on the edge, you're in or you're out. And, it is the most fun to give yourself over to the moment. 🕺 You also have to be willing to honestly look like a bit of a dork, but have a blast anyway! 👯♀️ And isn't that the same way we should approach our work? I want to come to the work with reckless abandon. I want to be all-in. And I want to take risks that might make me look a little silly, but will show my creativity and passion. This was the message I tried to convey to my teen. Life feels better and more rewarding when you live it fully. Sitting on the sideline may make you feel more comfortable in the moment, but it will not give you the full experience. You often miss out on the best things when you're not able to go with the flow and maximize the experience! 🎧🪩 Have you ever participated on a silent disco? Did you love it?#tropicalvaca#vacation#rejuvenate#relaxmon#nonprofitleaders #silentdisco

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Think about it. Building wells that provide safe drinking water in rural African villages 8500 miles away where there is no electric power, where many times there are no roads, or bridges.Marion Medical Mission (MMM) goes where others won’t. Where the extreme poor live, where there is no medical care.The World Health Organization guidelines emphasize making the water clean at the source, rather than treating bad water with filters or chemicals. Marion Medical Mission wells make water clean at the source.Marion Medical Mission has built4,095wells this year providing an estimated 400,000 rural village people (240,000 children) with safe drinking water!!The light that shines through MMM is so desperately needed…especially now. We need to let it shine!Only together can we be who God created us to be. Together the impossible is possible. We don’t sit on the sidelines waiting for someone else to do it; because we have been called.There is not a shortage of resources to provide all God’s children with safe drinking water. There is not a shortage of food to feed the hungry. God has provided more than enough. And there is an overabundance in just the hands of Christians.What if the U.S. economy was based on building wells, not on weapons and guns? What if Sharing Christ’s love was the priority it should be?The impact of this self-help well program has been dramatic.Its importance can’t be over emphasized.Self-help is a means for people to get up off their knees. Self-help frees people.Marion Medical Mission U.S. teams helped dedicate3,075wells this year. Check out the smiles on the faces of everyone at the goodbye celebration on Saturday October 22nd.Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.Hymn by Daniel L. Schutte.Make love your aim. When you pray move your feet. The time is now.

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**Heading: The Royal Rift: A Reflection on the Impact of Holding Grudges**The ongoing feud within the British Royal Family between Prince William, Prince Harry, and their father, King Charles III, provides a vivid example of how grudges can profoundly affect personal and familial relationships. This high-profile discord offers a critical lesson on the detrimental impacts of holding onto past grievances.Studies have consistently shown that harboring resentment takes a significant toll on mental and physical health. It clutters the mind, fosters continuous negativity, and hampers personal growth. The physical repercussions are equally severe, with links to cardiovascular disease, increased stress, and other health complications.The saga of the Royal brothers and their father is not just tabloid fodder—it's a stark reminder of the importance of forgiveness and moving forward. Letting go of grudges can lead to improved well-being, mend relationships, and set a powerful example for others to follow.Forgiveness is not merely about others; it's a gift to oneself. By releasing the pain of the past, we open doors to new possibilities and healthier interactions. Whether you're a public figure or a private individual, the act of forgiving is transformative. It's about breaking free from the cycle of bitterness and embracing a future unhindered by the past.Let this public example from the Royal Family inspire us all to evaluate our grudges and consider the path of reconciliation and healing. After all, if those under the global spotlight can navigate such personal trials, perhaps there's hope for our personal battles too.#LifeLessons #Forgiveness #MentalHealth #RoyalFamily #Healing

“We made Christmas” - ZionIt’s dawned on me of late that social media see less than 5% of my life. So, many may feel that I’m in a constant state of being pissed off at the Costa situation, given how much I posted about it over the past few weeks.Truth is, I’m saddened at the state of things for my people, the Black community in the UK & some what globally. I don’t know when this racism thing will change and I’m tired of the complacency, lip service and lack of action from companies like Costa Coffee & The Coca-Cola Company it’s important that where it’s within your power & interest you use your influence & ability to also talk to them & voice your thoughts as many of you have. But it’s also important for you to know, this is not a main priority in my life, especially when a company stands by bad customer service & racism. I’ve lost the desire to fight people & organisations years ago & have chosen through things like The Black British Network to work with people, companies and leaders to make change together.The largest portion of my day and time is actually spent with my kids. When I switch off from the world, if I’m not in a meeting or planning/executing for business, I’m with them.The most relevant & beautiful thing in my mind currently is “making Christmas” with Zion & my family. This will be the first Christmas he really understands & appreciates. It’s been my sole purpose to make sure he enjoys every moment of it. The statement in the lead up to Christmas has been “Let’s Make Christmas”, and that exactly what I’m spending a vast majority of my free time doing, from decorations to presents etc. Got me thinking of a lot, I’m very grateful, I’m also concerned for the future for Zion & his generation.But I’m at peace, with all I have. Life is not perfect & beyond every day racism that many of us face, we also have life issues/problems to navigate which I am not exempt from, so I’d like to encourage you where its of value, to take some time to “Make Christmas” whatever that means to you. I don’t know if humanity will ever be problem free, but where it’s within your power, lean into love, however that may present itself to you in this season.Cephas

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How resilient is your family?My husband has been away for the entire last month, which meant we had to forgo celebrating some major milestones together...- Our 16th wedding anniversary - Selling our Northern Virginia home- Starting to build our new home in FloridaSo last night, we went out for a nice dinner to celebrate all of the above.After 20+ years as a military family (recently retired), we've become incredibly resilient.We could easily get stuck in the disappointment of so many missed celebrations and connections, and for too long, we did.Now, instead, we decide to look forward. ➡We choose presence with whomever or whatever is right in front of us. 🤝 We know how to redeem the time. ⏳ And we never forget to celebrate moments. 🎉That's why resilience is a key skill that Renala programs help cultivate in families.Embodying resilience is one of the most potent ways to care for yourselves - and each other.📌 How is your family resilient?Or, in what areas would you like your family to become more resilient?

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